Team Rwanda head trainer Jonathan Boyer has selected ten riders, who will feature for ‘Team Akagera’ and ‘Team Kalisimbi’ in the 2013 Tour du Rwanda, which is slated to run from November 17-24. Rwanda will enter three teams and the five riders, who will comprise the third team ‘Team Muhabura’, will be picked next week, according to the Rwanda Cycling Federation officials. Nathan Byukusenge, Janvier Hadi, Abraham Ruhumuriza, Bonaventure Uwizeyimana and Jean Bosco Nsengiyumva will feature for ‘Team Karisimbi’, while ‘Team Akagera’ comprises of Hategeka Gasore, Emile Bintunimana, Valens Ndayisenga, Hassan Rukundo and Joseph Biziyaremye. However, Rwanda’s top rider Adrien Niyonshuti is returning to competitive cycling after almost nine months out with an illness. He will feature for his South Africa team Samsung MTN Qhubeka. All the riders are currently in intensive training at the Team Rwanda training centre in Musanze. Other teams expected to take part in this year’s Tour du Rwanda are; UCI Continental Center (South Africa), Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, Algeria, Gabon, DR Congo, Team As Be Co of Eritrea, Novo Nordisk (USA), Team Avia Crabbe (Belgium) and Rhone Alpes (France). Niyonshuti starts outdoor training Meanwhile, after nearly ten months out of action, Niyonshuti started outdoor training with his Samsung MTN Qhubeka team-mates after completing anticoagulant treatment. The 26-year-old rider was forced to take a complete break from racing after being diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis- the formation of a blood clot (thrombus) in a deep vein, predominantly in the legs. After his first day of training outdoors, Niyonshuti said, “Thank you Allah my (God) for helping me after 10 months without riding outside, now I can ride again with my friends from feed Team MTN Qhubeka.” He added that Rwandan riders need to challenge themselves ahead of the tournament, “They have been progressing well, but need to continue to work hard and I hope they will do better this year.” Last year, The MTN Quabeka rider, who featured for ‘Team Karisimbi’ finished in 9th position.
